Apparatus for cleaning water-pipes.



N. s. HILL, JR. E B. is. HODGMPAN. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING WATER HPI-1S.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1908.

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N. S..HILL, JR. &`B. B. HODGMAN. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING WATER PIPES.APPLICATION FILED JUNE ao, 190e. 971,042, v. Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\ mm u N. s. HILL, JB. `& B. B. HODGMAN. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING WATERPIPES.'

' .LIPPLIUATION FILED JUNE 30, 1908.

Patented sept. 27, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NIILAS S. HILL, JR., AND BURT B. HODGMAN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY,AS-

SIGNORS T0 NATIONAL WATER MAIN CLEANING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, NICHOLAS S. HILL, Jr., and BURT B. HODGMAN,citizens of the United States, and both residing in East Orange, Essexcounty, State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Apparatus for Cleaning VVater-Fipes, of which thefollowing is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enableany one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, refer* ence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming partof this specification.

Our invention relates to apparatus for cleaning the scale, tubercles,mud, silt or any form of deposit from the interior cir cumference of apipe and particularly a water-main, and the particular objects of ourinvention are to provide an adjustable mechanism or plow having a knifeedge de signed to reduce resistance and to cut deposits or tuberculationfrom the interior of water-mains without injury to the pipecoating; alsoconforming to the interior diameter of the pipe to be cleaned, leaving aconcentric, cylindrical surface; also enfolding the deposit as cut bymeans of flared eX- tensions and ensconce a guide-wheel following; andbeing attached to a removable, resilient steel blade carrying a spacingor guide-wheel, which Xes the distance from the plow to the surface oft-he pipe; the resilient blade, plow and wheel having suficientfiexibility to pass under and not injure corporation cocks, ferrules orother connections attached to or inserted in water-mains, and to protectthe pipe cleaning machine and its parts from ar and to insure thepassage of' a hydraulically propelled machine without interruption.

lith these and other objects in view, our invention consists in thevarious novel and peculiar arrangements and combinations of the severaldifferent parts of the apparatus, all as hereinafter fully set forth,and then pointed out in the claims.

We have illustrated a type of our invention in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure lis a central longitudinal section of a pipe orwater-main containing our improved cleaning apparatus, which is shown ina side view, and with Scrapers of each set staggered, likewise thecutters. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the spring carriersAPPARATUS FOR CLEANING WATER-PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 30, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

serial No. 441,220.

provided with a spacing or guide-roller and a curved scraper blade; thecarrier with the respect-ive parts attached thereto, being shownjasdetached. Fig. 3 is a plan of one of the spring carriers provided with aspacing or guide-roller and having a pair of cutting blades mountedthereon; the carrier and the attached parts, being shown as detached.Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part of the apparatus shown in Fio'. 1,with a portion thereof in central longitudinal section, showing theknuckle-joint and swivel between the two propelling pistons. Fig. 5 isan enlarged view in cross section, the plane of which is taken on line 55, Fig. l, with the Scrapers shown as out of line or staggered. Fig. 6is an enlarged detail view showing in section one of the swivel jointsbetween the gangs of the Scrapers and the cutting blades. Fig. 7 is aview of the rear plate of the piston showing the valveports togetherwith the slide valves and the manner in which they are mounted. Fig. 8is a cross sectional view of one of the slide valves. Fig. 9 is a viewof the inner face of one of the supporting plates for the springcarriers. Fig. l10 is a cross sectional view of the supporting plateshown in Fig. 9. Fig. l1 is an edge view of one of the spring carriersof the scraper or cutter. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of thescraper blades shown as detached.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numbers ofreference designate like parts throughout, l is a. pipe through whichthe cleaning apparatus is adapted to travel. This apparatus comprisesone or more pistons 2, 2, which are arranged at the rear end of theapparatus and are designed to fit within the pipe so as to slide readilytherethrough and to be forced along by the water in the pipe. Thesepistons are constructed substantially alike, each having a stem or shaft3 on which is mounted a pair of plates 4 and 5, the plate l beingrabbet-ed at 6, at one of its peripheral edges in order to form aclamping groove for receiving and holding the soft piston rings 7, threeof which are here shown and which are preferably made of leather. Theserings are clamped between the two plates so as to make a. snug fitagainst the interior wall of the pipe, as particularly indicated in Fig.4. These piston plates are held in place on the stem 3 by means of afixed flange 8 and a nut 9 which works on a. screw-thread 10 on the stem3. Vhere two pistons are used, such as here shown, there is providedbetween them a` connection 1l and a swivel-joint 12, the lattercomprising a socket 13 and a ball 14, this knuckle and swivel-jointbeing formed vat the respective ends of a connecting part or fitting 15arranged between the stems 3 of the pistons, and the ball 14 beingretained in its socket by a retainingplate 16. which is attached to thepart 15 by suitable bolts and nuts 17.

Each piston 2 is provided with a set of ports 1S extending through thepiston at suitable points and each of these ports is controlled by asliding valve or gate 19, mounted in slides 20 on the face of the rearplate 5, of the piston and formed with guide-slots 21, working on guidepins 22. These slide valves 19 are adjustable to regulate the size ofthe opening of the valve ports, as desired, in order to let more or lesswater pass through the piston in the direction in which it travels.

in the front of the forward piston 2 is arranged one or moresubstantially duplicate sections, each comprising a set of springcarriers 23 each consisting in a resilient metallic strip, forked at itsouter end, for receiving a spacing or guide-roller 24 which is mountedthereon by means of bearingbrackets 25, the inner end of the strip 23being bent at 26, for insertion in the slots 27 formed in a disk 28which is mounted on a shaft or stem 29 and against which disk there isforced a second disk 30, by means of a nut 31 and a lock-nut 32, both ofwhich nuts work on a thread on the stem or shaft 29. The bent end 26 ofthe carrier 23 is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 33 whichtakes in a corresponding recess 34 in the slot 2T, in order to securelyretain the spring carrier in place, when once the clamping` disk 30 isforced into place.

Upon each carrier 23 is mounted a peculiarly shaped scraping blade 35,the shank of the blade being attached to the carrier by means ofsuitable bolts and nuts 36 which bolts pass through elongated slots 37in the carrier 23 to permit of the blade being adjusted longitudinallyon the carrier. As the carrier 23 is inclined from its supporting disk2S outwardly, toward the wall of the pipe, the longitudinal adjustmentof the blade 35 on the carrier serves to regulate the distance betweenthe scraping edge of the blade and the wall of the pipe. These springcarriers 23 are mounted at equal distances apart on the supporting disksand there are several of them, six being indicated in the constructionhere shown.

The scraper blades 35 are each substantially alike and are of a noveland peculiar shape being bent laterally, somewhat at right angles to thestem of the blade, which is curved over forwardly upon itself, as iri-4dicated at 38, while the cutting edge 39 lis also curved ,on its lengthto conform to the curvature of the interior of the pipe. Thisdisposition of the scraper blades at an angle, serves to impart arotating movement to the group or of blades, which is permitted by theswiveljoint 40 located at the rear of the group of scraper bladesbetween the same. and the set of propelling pistons. In addition to theswivel 40, there is also a knuckle-joint 41 between the swivel and thepistons and a knuckle-joint 42 between the swivel-joint 40 and thesupporting disks 28 and 30 of the set of carriers 23. This perT mits thegang of scraper blades of one section not only to rotate in respect tothe longitudinal axis of the apparatus but also enables it to be flexedlaterally in practically any direction.

The spacing or guide-wheel or roller 24 mounted at the end of each ofthe carriers 23 is formed with a double bevel on its periphery so as toform an acute angle which will cut through the scale or silt withoutinjuring the lining of the pipe. These rollers are so adjusted as tomaintain the Scrapers a slight distance from the inner surface of thepipe, so that they can remove the incrustation without at the same timeinjuring or cutting the coating on the interior of theI pipe. Theserollers also reduce the friction and permit the apparatus to move morerapidly through the main or pipe.

rlhe second section of the scraper blades which is indicated by thenumerals 23 to 39', comprises substantially duplicate parts to thosejust described from 23 to 39, but there is no swivel-joint between thesegangs or sections of Scrapers, there being merely two oppositely workingknuckle-joints 43 and 44 which permit the second section or gang ofScrapers to be flexed laterally in most any direction while movingthrough the pipe. It is,vhowever, to be noted that the scraper blades ofthe two sect-ions or gangs are preferably not set in the same planecontaining the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, (as shown in Fig. l)but are shifted, so that the Scrapers of one gang move over a differentpath from the Scrapers of the gang ahead, (as shown in Fig. 5) in orderthat all of the interior of the pipe may be acted upon by the scrapersof both gangs or sections taken together.

Forwardly of the second section of the Scrapers 23 to 39, are arrangedtwo gangs or sets of cutting blades which are alike, so that adescription of one will serve for both gangs. The shaft of the first setof cutter blades is provided with a knuckle-joint 41, a swivel 40, asecond knuckle-joint 42', similar to the joints 41, 40 and 42,respectively, previously described, and a second set of cutter bladeslikewise has its shaft provided lwith knuckle-joints 43 and 44, similarto thev joints 43 and 44, previously de scribed in reference to thescraper blades. A set of resilient metal carriers 45 having spacingrollers 46 is provided, vthe carriers being supported by disks 47, 48,on the shaft, which disks are held in position by nuts 49, 50, similarto the parts 23 to 34, as hereinbefore described in reference to thescraper blades. The cutter blades 51, 52, form a plow as indicated moreparticularly in Fig. 3, and this device is adj ustably mounted on thespring carrier 45 by means of bolts 53 and slots 54. The cutter blades51 and 52 are arranged so as to diverge from each other in a rearwarddirection and have their cutting edges 55 and 56, respectively, curvedto conform to the curvature of the interior of the pipe, and thesecutting edges are brought together and join a single cutting edge 58, ofconsiderable length, and this plow acts to cut into the deposit which itis desired -to remove from the interior of the pipe, the cut by thestraight portion of the blade being made generally in a forwarddirection while the curved flaring extension of the blade makes ashearing cut. This arrangement also serves to enfold the deposit as cutby the flaring blades which at the same time ensconce the guide-wheel.The longitudinal adjustment of these cutting yblades on the carriers 45serves to vary the distance between the blades and the interior of thepipe, while the guide or spacing wheel 46 serves to sufficiently spacethe blades from the lining of the pipe to prevent injuring the same. Thesecond section or gang of cutting blades and their adjuncts, areindicated by the reference numerals 45 to 56, respectively, and they arearranged an equal distance apart, six being indicated in each group.These are so arranged that a pair of blades of the first group does notpass over the same path on the surface of the pipe as the correspondingpair of blades of the other group, in order that all parts of thesurface of the pipe may be acted upon, as indicated in Fig. 5, inrespect to the Scrapers. By virtue of the swivel-joint 40, both gangs ofcutter-blades may revolve freely in respect to the gangs ofscraper-blades, and the various knuckle-joints of the cutter-blade shaftpermit the same to be flexed laterally in all directions, thus givingperfect flexibility to the group of cutter-blades, the same as inreference to the Scrapers. The swivel 40 is somewhat different inspecific construction from the knuckle-joint 41. It comprises aswivel-post 60, the under-cut head 6l of which is provided with abearing-plate 62 which is itself mounted in the ball-bearing 63 arrangedbetween the two disks 64, 65, which are held together by the screws 66.(See Fig. 6).

While we have illustrated two pistons and two groups each of theScrapers and cutters, it will, of course, be understood that the numberof each may be varied as desired, the number of each or any of the partsbeing increased or decreased as the case may require. In using twosections with gangs of cutting-blades and two with the Scrapers, thepipe may be cleaned by a single operation. The apparatus as it passesthrough will cut off the scale and scrape the entire surface of thepipe. The cutter-blades are preferably formed of manganese steel whichis very hard and at the same time very elastic and resilient. TheScrapers are made of spring steel bent over to conform to the innersurface of the pipe and also at an angle with the alinement of the pipeto impart a movement of rotation to the section to which they areattached. The rotation of the sections, besides more effectivelycleaning the pipe, also permits the scrapers and cutters to passobstructions without damage as, for instance, a corporation cock whichprojects a slight distance within the main. The springs on which thecutting blades and rollers and scrapers are mounted are removable andlarger or smaller springs may be inserted for mains of different sizes.

The apparatus is constructed with a View to its being forced through themain by the water pressure behind the pistons. When the apparatus issent through a suction main, the pistons are removed. When there is verylittle suction or in cases where it goes through a pressure main and thepressure is very light, a cable which is first put through the main, maybe tied to the eye 57 at the forward end of the shaft of the apparatus,and the same drawn through the pipe.

An important advantage which we found in the use of this apparatus isthe ease with which it may be drawn through curves in pipes, owing tothe character and the arrangement of the several different joints in thedevice. We have found that the apparatus readily passes through a curveof 90.

Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is l. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, aset of rearwardly extending and outwardly inclined resilient carriers,and a tool for acting upon the deposit in the pipe mounted on each ofsaid carriers with capacity of adjustment lengthwise the carrier on itsinclined part, whereby the edge of the tool may be adjusted relativelyto the interior of the pipe.

2. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of rearwardlyextending and outwardly inclined resilient carriers, a tool for actingupon the deposit in the pipe mounted on each of said carriers withcapacity of adjustment lengthwise the carrier on its inclined part,whereby the edge of the tool may be adjusted relatively to the interiorof the pipe, and a roller mounted on the free end of each of saidcarriers and adapted to engage the interior surface f the pipe.

3. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of rearwardlyand outwardly extending resilient carriers each having a tool mountedthereon for acting upon the deposit in the pipe, each of said toolsbeing adjustable relatively to the interior of the pipe, and a rollermounted on each of said carriers for engaging the interior surface ofthe pipe.

4. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of scrapers eachcomprising a shank having a blade extending practically at right anglestherefrom and with substantially the entire edge of the blade curled orbent forwardly and the cutting' edge thereof adapted to act upon thedeposit in the pipe on a line substantially transverse to the length ofthe pipe.

5. In a. pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of rearwardlyextending and outwardly inclined resilient carriers, a scraper mountedon each of said carriers and comprising a shank having ablade extendingpractically at right angles therefrom and with substantially the entireedge of the blade curled or bent forwardly7 and the cutting edge thereofadapted to act upon the deposit in the pipe on a line substantiallytransverse to the length of the pipe, eachl of said Scrapers having'capacity of adjustment. along the length of its carrier on its inclinedpart.

6. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of rearwardlyextending and outwardly inclined resilient carriers, a scraper mountedon each of said carriers and comprising a shank having a blade extendingpractically at right angles therc from and with substantially the entireedge of the blade curled or bent forwardly and the cutting` edge thereofadapted to act upon the deposit in the pipe on a line substantiallytransverse to the length of the pipe, each of said Scrapers havingcapacity of adjustment along" the length of its carrier on its inclinedpart, the said carriers being each provided with a roller at its outerend and to the rear of the scraper and adapted to engage the interiorsurface of the pipe.

7. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, plow-shaped cuttershaving capacity of adjustment relatively to the interior surface of the.pipe and each having a cutting blade extending a considerable distancesubstantially in the direction of the line of travel and forked cuttingedges diverging rearwardly from said single cutting edge, and a set ofScrapers each comprising a shank having a blade extending practically atright angles therefrom and with substantially the entire edge of theblade curled or bent forwardly and the cutting edge thereof adapted toact upon the deposit in the pipe on a line substantially transverse tothe length of the pipe.

8. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, resilient carrierseach having a tool mounted thereon for acting upon the deposit in thepipe, and each carrier provided with a spring mounted roller adapted toengage the interior surface of the pipe.

9. In a pipe-cleaner, the combination of a shaft, a set of springcarriers having their inner ends detachably mounted on said shaft andtheir outer ends projecting outwardly and rearwardly toward thecircumference of the pipe and provided with a tool for acting upon thedeposit in the pipe, the outer end of each of the said carriers being'forked, and a roller mounted in the forked end of each carrier andadapted to engage the interior of the pipe under the spring pressure ofsaid carrier.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands in the presence ofthe two subscribing witnesses.

NICHOLAS S. HILL, Jn. BURT B. HODGMAN.

Witnesses A. M. HAYES, R. G. MONROE.

